Densified fuel pellets

ABSTRACT

A biomass-based fuel pellet, such as a fuel pellet which includes thermoplastic polymeric material and a substantial amount of cellulosic material, e.g. cellulosic material derived from biomass source(s), is provided. The fuel pellet commonly includes about 5 to 15 wt. % of the thermoplastic polymeric material and at least about 75 wt. % cellulosic material. Optionally, the fuel pellet may comprise a lignin additive. Many embodiments of the fuel pellets are suitable for use in a coal-fired furnace and/or in other industrial boiler applications.

BACKGROUND

In the past, renewable energy sources, i.e. energy sources that can bereplenished in a relatively brief time period, such as biomass or othercellulosic materials, accounted for about 90% of the energy consumed inthe United States. By more recent times, however, the United States hadbecome, and continues to be, heavily reliant on the combustion ofnon-renewable fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil, to meetits growing energy needs.

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the United States, and morethan half of the electricity produced in the United States comes fromcoal-fired power-generating plants. Though coal is presently abundant inthe United States and is, on an energy-per-Btu basis, currently theleast expensive of the fossil fuels, it is nonetheless a non-renewableenergy source and will likely become an increasingly scarce commodityover the next two centuries. Coal combustion also contributessignificantly to several environmental pollutants, including heavymetals, such as arsenic and mercury, and radioactive metals, such asuranium and thorium. Furthermore, coal combustion is the source of asubstantial percentage of United States emissions of sulfur dioxide, anagent implicated in the formation of acid rain.

Coal exists in a variety of grades, each with a characteristic moisture,ash, and sulfur content and an associated heat value, generally in therange of 4,000 to 15,000 Btu/lb. The grindability of a particular coalor other materials is the measure of its resistance to crushing thatdepends on several factors, including the moisture content, ash content,and the physical integrity of the coal. Knowing the grindability of coalis important because coal that is difficult to grind can limit thecapacity of a pulverized coal-fired boiler by reducing the throughput ofthe coal pulverizers and because it has implications for thetransportation and storage of the coal.

Biomass, a renewable energy source that contains energy stored fromsolar radiation, includes a wide range of organic materials produced byboth animals and plants. Fuel pellets made from biomass are increasinglyof commercial interest due to concerns about the finite world-widereserves of coal and other fossil fuels, as well as the significantenvironmental damage resulting from coal combustion pollutants. Interestin methods of combining renewable energy sources with non-renewablewaste materials that can be recycled or reused beneficially, such aswaste plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills, has been drivenby cost as well as environmental concerns as it becomes increasinglyexpensive to site, obtain operating permits for, and maintain landfills.

Previous methods of producing fuel pellets can have a variety ofdrawbacks, for commercial and/or industrial uses, including lowerheating value and/or poor handling characteristics (e.g., a tendency tocrumble), thus rendering the pellets unsuitable for many coal-firedfurnaces or industrial boiler applications.

SUMMARY

The present application relates to biomass-based fuel pellets. The fuelpellets described herein typically include thermoplastic polymericmaterial and a substantial amount of cellulosic material, e.g.cellulosic material derived from biomass source(s), such as agriculturalresidues, other similar harvested organic feedstocks and/or cellulosiccontaining waste streams from industrial processes. Commonly, the fuelpellets comprise about 5 to 15 wt. % of thermoplastic polymeric materialand at least about 75 wt. % and, more suitably, at least about 85 wt. %cellulosic material. Optionally, the fuel pellets may include a ligninadditive. Many embodiments of the present fuel pellets are suitable foruse in a coal-fired furnaces, biomass boilers, or other solid fuelcombustion systems.

The fuel pellets of the present application may commonly be formed bycompression of a feed mixture which includes cellulosic biomass andthermoplastic polymeric material. In many instances, this may beaccomplished by extrusion of the feed mixture, typically at atemperature at which the thermoplastic polymeric material is in a moltenstate while the feed mixture is being compressed. Forming the fuelpellets may commonly involve hydraulic extrusion of the feed mixturethrough a fuel pellet die. The fuel pellets may also suitably be formedby uniaxial compaction of the feed mixture. During the compactionoperation, the biomass/polymer feedstock mixture is typically subjectedto a pressure of no more than about 2,500 psi and compaction pressuresof about 1,500 to 2,000 psi are employed in many instances.

The feed mixture may commonly include about 5 to 15 wt. % thermoplasticpolymeric material and at least about 75 wt. % and, often, at leastabout 85 wt. % cellulosic biomass material. Prior to compaction orextrusion, the feed mixture is commonly treated such that a portion ofthe thermoplastic polymeric material is in a molten state duringcompression of the mixture. This may be accomplished by application ofheat from an external heating source and/or via heating of the feedmixture via the friction generated by handling of the mixture, e.g., byblending the mixture using a frictional mixing device. In someinstances, a portion of the thermoplastic polymeric material may achievea molten state by passing the feed mixture through a preheating systemaffixed to the thermal mixer, such that the temperature of the materialentering the thermal mixer is at least about 140° C. and, often 145° C.or higher before the entering the thermal mixer. In other instances, thetemperature of the thermal mixer may be raised by application of heatfrom an external heating source or via residual heating of the feedmixture via normal friction generated by handling of the mixture, e.g.,to about 140° C. or higher, after the feed mixture has been introducedto the mixer. The thermoplastic polymeric material may infuse into thecellulosic fibers while the thermoplastic polymeric material is moltenand also may subsequently harden upon cooling to form the polymericcasing. The hot fuel pellets formed via the extrusion process may becooled using a conventional air cooling device or alternatively may beintroduced into a cooling bath, e.g., a cooling bath containingglycerin. If a glycerin cooling bath is employed, the cooled fuelpellets can absorb some of the glycerol. The fuel pellets produced bythese methods can have a minimum dimension of at least about 1 cm and aheat value of about 9,500 Btu/lb or higher, while retaining goodgrindability and handling characteristics. In other embodiments, thefuel pellets may be comminuted to form densified fuel material made upof smaller particulates. If desired the fractionated to obtain pelletsof different sizes.

In some embodiments, the densified fuel pellet has a grindability whichis similar to that of a particular coal which is particularly suitableas a heat source in a specific application. The grindability of amaterial is a measure of its resistance to crushing and can depend on anumber of factors such as the physical integrity of the material, itsmoisture content and/or ash content. A common test for determining thegrindability of coal or other related materials is the Hardgrove-machinemethod that produces a grindability value for coal known as theHardgrove Grindability Index (“HGI”), or Hardgrove number (discussed inmore detail below). The present densified fuel pellets may suitably havea minimum dimension of at least about 1 cm, an HGI of no more than about80, and desirably may have an HGI of no more than about 60. The presentdensified fuel pellets may suitably have a pellet durability index(“PDI”; discussed in more detail below) of at least about 80, moresuitably at least about 90 and in some instances 95 or higher. Suchdensified fuel pellets typically have a heat value of at least about9,500 Btu/lb. The densified fuel pellets suitably include about 5 to 15wt. % thermoplastic polymeric material and at least about 75 wt. %cellulosic material. These densified fuel pellets may be formed from afeed mixture that also includes lignin additive.

A method of generating heat in a boiler system designed for burning coalis also provided herein. The method includes combusting a fuel materialwhich includes a plurality of the densified fuel pellets. The fuelmaterial may include coal pieces in addition to the densified fuelpellets. Very often, it may be advantageous to use a fuel mixture whichincludes coal pieces and densified fuel pellets having substantiallysimilar size and density characteristics. In some embodiments, thedensified fuel pellet may have a grindability which is similar to thatof the particular coal which is particularly suitable as a heat sourcein a specific boiler system. In some embodiments, the densified fuelpellet may be formed such that it is substantially similar in size anddensity to a particular coal or solid-grate fuel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of an illustrative embodiment of a densifiedfuel production system for producing the present densified fuel pellets.

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the thermal mixing/press portion of thesystem depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodimentof a system for producing the present densified fuel pellets.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodimentof a system for producing the present densified fuel pellets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present densified fuel pellets may be formed by a process whichincludes forming a mixture including biomass and thermoplastic polymericmaterial. Commonly, the mixture will include cellulosic biomassmaterial. Suitable cellulosic biomass feedstocks may generally includeplant wastes from food processing or industrial processes, such assawdust and/or paper pulp, agricultural plant wastes, such as, cerealstraws, corn stover, and sugarcane bagasse, and/or plants grown for fuelproduction, such as switchgrass. Other examples of suitable cellulosicbiomass feedstocks include biomass residuals from sawmills and finishingplants, pulp and paper mill residuals, sawdust, wood, and otheruntreated lumber recovered from construction sites, as well asagricultural residues, such as corn stover and rice hulls. In someinstances, the dry mass of cellulosic biomass consists of abouttwo-thirds cellulose and hemicellulose and one-third lignin, withsmaller amounts of proteins, fats, waxes, oils, and ash present. Themixture from which the present densified fuel pellet may be formed mayalso desirably include polymeric material. Thermoplastic polymericmaterials are particularly advantageous for use in the present processbecause such materials may be melted and subsequently allowed tore-harden during formation of fuel pellets. Melting of the polymericmaterial followed by hardening may result in a pellet with superior heatvalues and a pellet durability index (“PDI”) that facilitatestransportation and handling of the pellets, and may provide asignificant moisture barrier. The use of the present fuel pellets cansignificantly reduce and in some instances essentially eliminatefugitive dust emissions. The thermoplastic polymeric material maysuitably be selected from a group comprising high or low densitypolyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyimide or combinationsthereof. Optionally, the mixture may also include lignin additive. Thelignin additive may be added in a dry form or as an aqueous solution orslurry in water.

The Figures illustrate various embodiments of process which may beemployed to produce the present biomass-based fuel pellets. Referring toFIG. 1, polymeric material enters the fuel pellet production assembly ata first conveyor belt 10 that transports the polymeric material to ashredder 12 for sizing. The polymeric material is commonly sized to aparticular specification, and is typically in the form of a flake orbead of less than about half an inch in dimension. The shreddedpolymeric material is collected via a first metering screw 14 thatconveys the shredded polymeric material to a hopper or storage bin 16.The storage bin 16 feeds a second metering screw 18 that measures eithera predetermined volume of shredded polymeric material or a predeterminedweight of shredded polymeric material via a load cell 20. The shreddedpolymeric material is moved through the second metering screw 18 andthen through a third metering screw 22 that transports the shreddedpolymeric material to a mixing screw 24. The mixing screw 24 suitablyhas a ton per hour (“TPH”) capacity of at least about 0.4 to 0.7 TPH.

Raw biomass or other cellulosic feedstock materials enter the fuelpellet production assembly at a second conveyor belt 26 that conveys thefeedstock to a blending station 28 that is linked to a second load cellscale 30. The blending station 28 may suitably have a capacity of atleast about 500 ft³ and at least about 5 tons. The feedstock is movedthrough the blending station 28 to a third conveyor belt 32 thattransports the feedstock to a sizer-dryer 34, where the moisture contentof the feedstock is typically reduced to no more than about 15 wt. %,and preferably to no more than about 11 wt. %, and the feedstock iscomminuted to a desired particle size. Commonly the desired particlesize less than about one inch, desirably less than about three-quartersof an inch. Upon exiting the sizer-dryer 34, the feedstock enters afourth metering screw 36. The fourth metering screw 36 suitably has acapacity of at least about 2 to 4 TPH (tons per hour). The fourthmetering screw 36 is used to transport the feedstock to the mixingstation 24 where the feedstock is mixed with the shredded polymericmaterial to form a combined feed stream. The combined feed streamsuitably comprises at least about 85 wt. % feedstock and 5 to 15 wt. %shredded polymeric material, desirably comprises about 90 wt. %feedstock and 10 wt. % shredded polymeric material, and in someinstances comprises about 95 wt. % biomass feedstock and about 5 wt. %shredded polymeric material. The combined feed stream is then commonlytransported from the mixing station 24 to a surge bin 38 having acapacity of at least about 100 lb. and desirably of at least about 1,000lb. The combined feed stream moves from the surge bin 38, through astop/start feed conveyor 40, and into a preheating system 41 affixed toa thermal mixer 42. The preheating system 41 heats the mixed stream toabout 140 to 150° C. as it enters the thermal mixer 42. The specifictemperature selected will depend on the type of thermoplastic polymericmaterial and feedstock present in the feed stream. For example, withmany feedstock sources, if HDPE is employed as the thermoplasticmaterial, the feed stream will suitably be heated to about 140 to 150°C. The mixed stream may be heated in the thermal mixer 42 by an externalheat source, such as an electric heater 43, or may be heated by heatgenerated by friction inside the thermal mixer 42.

Referring to FIG. 2, the heated mixed stream moves from the thermalmixer 42 to the extruder or uniaxial compactor 44 comprising a hydraulicpress unit 46, where it is densified and pelletized to form fuel pellets48. The fuel pellets 48 exit the extruder or uniaxial compactor 44through a tapered extrusion die 47 that typically compresses the mixedstream by a factor of at least about 2 or suitably by a factor of about3 to 5 or even higher. The fuel pellets are transferred from theextruder or uniaxial compactor 44 to a fourth conveyor belt 50.Referring to FIG. 1, the fourth conveyor belt 50 transports the fuelpellets 48 to a pellet breaker 52. The fuel pellets 48 pass through thepellet breaker 52 into a counterflow air pellet cooler 54. Thecounterflow air pellet cooler 54 may typically have a capacity of atleast about 50 ft³. The fuel pellets 48 will suitably be retained in thecounterflow air pellet cooler 54 for at least about ten minutes orsuitably for at least about 5 minutes before being transferred to afifth conveyor belt 56 that deposits the cooled fuel pellets in astorage or distribution location 58. A system such as the one describedabove can typically be capable of production of about 3 to 4 TPH of thedensified fuel pellets.

The fuel pellet of the present application commonly has a minimumdimension of at least about 1 cm, and may desirably have a minimumdimension of at least about 1.5 cm. The fuel pellet may have agrindability similar to that of soft coal, e.g., may suitably have aHardgrove Grindability Index (“HGI”; see discussion below) of no morethan about 80, and desirably may have an HGI of no more than about 60.In some embodiments, the fuel pellet may suitably have a sulfur contentof no more than about 0.5 wt. %. In some embodiments, the fuel pelletmay have an ash content of no more than about 8 wt. %, desirably no morethan about 5 wt. %., and more desirably no more than about 2 wt. %. Thefuel pellet may typically have a specific gravity of about 1 to 1.2g/cm³, and may suitably have a specific gravity of about 1.05 to 1.15g/cm³. In some embodiments, the extruded densified fuel pellet may havea density of about 20 to 45 lb/ft³. In other embodiments, the extrudeddensified fuel pellet may suitably have a density of at least about 20lb/ft³ and suitably about 25 to 35 lb/ft³. In some embodiments, theratio of the specific gravity of the biomass and thermoplastic polymericmaterial mixture before pelletization to the specific gravity of thefuel pellet following pelletization may be about 1.5 or higher.Typically, the fuel pellet may have a heating output of at least about9,500 Btu/lb and may suitably have a heating output of at least about10,000 Btu/lb.

In some embodiments, the densified fuel pellet may be formed by a methodthat comprises extruding a mixture to form a densified fuel pellet,wherein the mixture will commonly include polymeric material. Typically,the polymeric material will be molten at least during formation of thedensified fuel pellet. Thermoplastic polymeric materials areparticularly advantageous for use in the present mixture because theymay melt and subsequently harden during or after formation of the fuelpellet which may result in a pellet with superior heat values and PDIthat facilitates in-tact transportation of the pellet. Selection of asuitable thermoplastic polymer must take into account that the meltingpoint of the polymer must be below a temperature that could result incombustion of the biomass. The thermoplastic polymeric material may beselected from a group comprising high or low density polyethylene,polypropylene, polyamide, polyimide or combinations thereof. Suitably,the thermoplastic polymeric material will comprise polyethylene,polypropylene, or a mixture thereof. Commonly the thermoplastic materialwill include recycled thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, thethermoplastic polymeric material has a melting point of about 130 to150° C. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymeric materialsuitably has a melting point of about 140 to 150° C.

In some embodiments, the densified fuel pellet may be formed by a methodthat comprises extruding a mixture to form a densified material, whereinthe mixture may commonly include biomass or other harvested organicmaterials, such as agricultural residues. The dry mass of cellulosicbiomass typically consists of about two-thirds cellulose andhemicellulose, and one-third lignin, with smaller amounts of proteins,fats, waxes, oils, and ash present. In some embodiments, the mixturewill also include about 0.5 to 5 wt. % lignin additive (dry basis) orsuitably about 1 to 3 wt. % lignin additive (dry basis) where the ligninis in the form of an aqueous solution or slurry. Lignin is particularlyadvantageous for use in the present mixture because lignin is a residualresource and renewable resource. A further advantage of lignin is thatthe carbon dioxide gas produced by the combustion of lignin is offset bythe carbon dioxide absorbed by the lignin as it grows, thus resulting inno net greenhouse gas production. Lignin also may act as a binder infuel pellet and may result in a fuel pellet with desirable physicalproperties and improved combustion.

In some embodiments, the cellulosic material has an initial moisturecontent of no more than about 15 wt. % or suitably no more than about 10wt. %. Cellulosic biomass feedstocks may generally include productionwastes or residuals from industrial processes, such as sawdust, pulpmill rejects, agricultural plant wastes, such as, cereal straws, cornstover, and sugarcane bagasse, as well as plants grown for fuelproduction, such as switchgrass. Typically, the mixture biomass willcomprise a cellulosic material. Suitably, the cellulosic material willcomprise at least about 75 wt. % of the mixture and may desirablycomprise at least about 90 wt. % of the mixture. In some embodiments,the cellulosic material may be in particulate form having a maximumdimension of no more than about 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the densified fuel pellet may be formed by a methodthat comprises extruding a mixture to form a densified fuel pellet,wherein the densified fuel pellet may have a minimum dimension of atleast about 1 cm. In other embodiments, the densified fuel pellet may beformed by a method that comprises uniaxial compaction of a mixture toform a densified fuel pellet, wherein the densified fuel pellet may havea minimum dimension of at least about 1 cm and may desirably have aminimum dimension of at least about 1.5 cm. A fuel pellet may commonlyhave a diameter of at least about 1.5 cm and a length of at least about2 cm. In some embodiments, the densified fuel pellet may have a moisturecontent of no more than about 3 wt. % or suitably no more than about 5wt. %. In some embodiments, the densified fuel pellet may have a sulfurcontent of no more than about 0.5 wt. % or suitably no more than about0.3 wt. %. The densified fuel pellet may commonly have an ash content ofno more than about 8 wt. %, suitably no more than about 5 wt. % and moresuitably no more than about 2 wt. %.

In some embodiments, the fuel pellet is capable of producing a heatingoutput of about 9,500 Btu/lb. In some embodiments, the densified fuelpellet may suitably have a specific gravity of about 1 to 1.2 g/cm³, ordesirably or about 1.05 to 1.15 g/cm³. In some embodiments, thedensified fuel pellet may commonly have a density of about 20 to 45lb/ft³, or suitably or about 25 to 35 lb/ft³. In some embodiments, theratio of the specific gravity of the mixture before extrusion to thespecific gravity of the fuel pellet may be no more than about 0.7.

In various places in this application, the grindability of the presentdensified fuel pellets is discussed. A common test for determining thegrindability of coal and related materials is the Hardgrove-machinemethod ASTM D409-02 (2007)e. In the Hardgrove test, the grindability ofan unknown sample material is assessed relative to a standard coalsample assigned a grindability of 100. The resulting value of theHardgrove test is the Hardgrove Grindability Index (“HGI”), or Hardgrovenumber. The lower the HGI, the more difficult it is to grind a sample ascompared to the standard. The present densified fuel pellets may have anHGI of no more than about 80. In some embodiments, the densified fuelpellet may suitably have an HGI of no more than about 70, or desirablybetween about 50 and 60.

Alternatively, in various places in this application, the PDI of thepresent densified fuel pellets is discussed. A densified fuel pelletwith a relatively low PDI will tend to lose its ability to staytogether. Thus, the present densified fuel pellets desirably have a PDIof at least about 80 and more desirably 90 or higher. The PDI of thepresent fuel pellets is a measure of their physical integrity and can bedetermined using the procedure as described below.

-   -   1. Obtain a representative sample of the finished pellet, e.g.,        from the pellet cooler discharge area.    -   2. Screen the cooled pellet sample on a U.S. No. 7 sieve screen        and then obtain a 100 gram sample of the cooled, screened pellet        product.    -   3. Place the 100 gram sample in a pellet tumbler testing        canister containing five ½″ hex nuts.    -   4. Tumble the pellet sample for 5 minutes.    -   5. Screen the tumbled sample on a U.S. No. 7 sieve to separate        the fines and reweigh the pellet sample.    -   6. Document the weight of pellet sample remaining (as a        percentage of the original pellet sample) to determine the PDI.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to illustrate the methods ofproducing the fuel pellets described herein, and to assist one ofordinary skill in making and using the same. The examples are notintended in any way to otherwise limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a method ofproducing the present densified fuel pellets. As illustrated in FIG. 3,a wood/fiber/cellulosic feedstock 101 such as biomass residuals fromsawmills and finishing plants, pulp and paper mill residuals, sawdust,wood, and other untreated lumber obtained from construction sites, canbe treated in a sizing device 102 to produce particulate material havinga particle size no larger than about 3 to 4 mm. Thewood/fiber/cellulosic particulate may then be dried 103 to produce acellulosic feedstock having a moisture content of about 10 to 12 wt. %.About 890 lbs/hour of the dried cellulosic feedstock is introduced intothe mixing station 105 together with about 90 lbs/hour of high densitypolyethylene (HDPE) and/or low density polyethylene (LDPE) from polymerfeedstock bin 104. Each of these feedstock materials may be introducedinto mixing station 105 with the aid of a screw auger. At the same time,about 20 lbs/hour of a dry lignin additive are also introduced intomixing station 105 from lignin source 110. The blended feed mixture isthen transferred to preheating system 112 where the blended feed/polymermixture is heated to a temperature of about 140° to 150° C. The blendedfeed mixture is then transferred to thermal mixer 106 where the feedmixture is further blended and heated by residual frictional heatingand, commonly, heat supplied from an external heat source, e.g., anelectric heater, to a temperature of about 140° C. to 150° C. After thefeed mixture is blended in the thermal mixer 106 for a time periodsufficient for substantially all of the HDPE/LDPE to be melted andcomplete mixing, the feed mixture is transferred, e.g., via auger, topress 107 where the mixture with the HDPE/LDPE still in a substantiallymolten state is compressed sufficiently to increase the specific gravityof the fuel mixture by a factor of at least about four. The compressedfuel mixture exiting the press 107 is comminuted into pieces of adesired size in pellet sizer 108, e.g., columnar ribbons of compressedfuel material with a diameter of about 1.5 cm may be chopped intocylindrical pieces about 2.5 to 3 cm in length. The temperature of thefuel pellets is lowered by passage through cooler 109, e.g., by blowingcooler air over the comminuted material, before being transferred intoappropriate packaging, such as bags or bins at the offload to customerstation 111. The resulting fuel pellets can have a density of about 20to 35 lb/ft³ and heat value of at least about 9,500 Btu/lb. Densifiedfuel pellets of this type may have a pellet durability index (“PDI”) ofat least about 80.

Example 2

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a wood/fiber feedstock 101 such as biomassresiduals from sawmills and finishing plants, pulp and paper millresiduals, sawdust, wood, and other untreated lumber obtained fromconstruction sites, as well as agricultural residues, such as cornstover and rice hulls, can be treated in a sizing device 102 to produceparticulate material having a mesh size of about ¾″ to ¼″. Alternately,if the wood/fiber feedstock is already sized and dry, it may beintroduced directly into mixing station 105. The wood/fiber particulatemay then be dried 103 to produce a cellulosic feedstock having amoisture content of about 10 to 12 wt. %. About 900 lbs/hour of driedcellulosic feedstock is introduced into mixing station 105 together withabout 100 lbs/hour of polypropylene (PP) from polymer feedstock bin 104.Each of these feedstock materials is commonly introduced into mixingstation 105 with the aid of a screw auger. The blended feed mixture isthen transferred into preheating system 112 where the blended feedmixture is heated to a temperature of about 140° to 150° C. (circa 275°to 290° F.). The heated blended feed mixture is then transferred tothermal mixer 106 where the feed mixture is further blended andmaintained at about 140° to 150° C. After the feed mixture is blended inthe thermal mixer 106 for a time period sufficient for substantially allof the polypropylene to be mixed with other feedstocks, the feed mixtureis transferred, e.g., via auger, to press 107 where the mixture with thepolypropylene still in a substantially molten state is extruded ascylindrical ribbons of compressed material with a diameter of about 1.5cm. The cylindrical ribbons of compressed fuel mixture exiting the press107 is comminuted into pieces of a desired length in pellet sizer 108,e.g., the compressed fuel material may be chopped into cylindricalpieces about 1 to 3 cm in length. The temperature of the fuel pellets isthen lowered by passage through cooler 109, e.g., by blowing cooler airover the comminuted material, before being transferred into appropriatepackaging, such as bags or bins at the offload to customer station 111.The resulting fuel pellets can have a density of about 30 to 35 lb/ft³and heat value of at least about 9,500 Btu/lb. Densified fuel pellets ofthis type may have a pellet durability index (“PDI”) of at least about80.

Example 3

Using a process similar to that described in Examples 1 and 2, awood/fiber feedstock containing a mixture of biomass residuals fromsawmills and finishing plants and/or pulp and paper mill residuals(circa 30 to 35 wt. % of the biomass feedstock) and mixed hardwoodswaste (e.g., sawdust, wood chips and/or other comminuted, recovereduntreated hardwood stock; circa 65 to 70 wt. % of the biomassfeedstock), can be treated in a sizing device to produce a cellulosicparticulate feedstock having a particle size of no more than about ¼″ to¾″ (no more than about 5 to 20 mm). Alternately, if the wood/fiberfeedstock is already sized and dry, it may be introduced directly intomixing station. The wood/fiber particulate may then be dried to producea cellulosic feedstock having a moisture content of about 10 to 12 wt.%. About 910 lbs/hour of the dried cellulosic feedstock is introducedinto mixing station together with about 80 lbs/hour of an HDPE/LDPEmixture from polymer feedstock bin. The polymer feedstock may includeabout 20 to 30 wt. % HDPE and about 70 to 80 wt. % HDPE. Each of thesefeedstock materials is commonly introduced into mixing station with theaid of a screw auger. Optionally, about 5 to 10 lbs/hour of dried ligninmaterial may also be introduced into the mixing station. The blendedfeed mixture is then transferred into a thermal mixer which has beenpreheated to a temperature of about 140° to 150° C. (circa 275° to 290°F.). The heated blended feed mixture is then blended in the thermalmixer for a time period sufficient for substantially all of the polymerto be mixed with the biomass feedstock (typically circa 5 to 20seconds). The feed/polymer mixture is transferred, e.g., via auger, to ahydraulic press where the mixture with the polymer still in asubstantially molten state is extruded as cylindrical ribbons ofcompressed material with a diameter of about 1.5 to 2 cm. The biomassfeedstock/molten polymer mixture may be extruded using a hydraulic ramunder a pressure of about 1,500 to 2,000 psi (suitably about 1,600 to1,800 psi). The cylindrical ribbons of compressed fuel mixture exitingthe press is comminuted into pieces of a desired length, e.g., thecompressed fuel material may be chopped into cylindrical pieces about 1to 3 cm in length. The temperature of the fuel pellets is then loweredby passage through a counterflow air pellet cooler, e.g., by blowingcooler air over the comminuted material, before being transferred intoappropriate packaging, such as bags or bins. The process described inthis Example may suitably be carried out using a densified fuelproduction system such as illustrated in FIG. 4. The resulting fuelpellets can have a density of about 25 to 35 lb/ft³ and heat value of atleast about 9,500 Btu/lb. Densified fuel pellets of this type may have apellet durability index (“PDI”) of at least about 80 and, more desirablyat least about 90.

It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varyingsubstitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosedherein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theinvention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced inthe absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations whichis not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressions whichhave been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, itshould be understood that although the present invention has beenillustrated by specific embodiments and optional features, modificationand/or variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to bythose skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations areconsidered to be within the scope of this invention.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described interms of Markush groups or other grouping of alternatives, those skilledin the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby describedin terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markushgroup or other group.

Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various numerical valuesare provided for embodiments, additional embodiments are described bytaking any 2 different values as the endpoints of a range. Such rangesare also within the scope of the described invention

1. A densified fuel pellet formed by a process comprising: compacting amixture which includes a) about 5 to 15 wt.% molten thermoplasticpolymeric material; b) at least about 75 wt.% cellulosic material;wherein the fuel pellet has a minimum dimension of at least about 1 cmand a heat value of at least about 9,500 Btu/lb (as is basis).
 2. Thedensified fuel pellet of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polymericmaterial has a melting point of about 120 to 150° C.
 3. The densifiedfuel pellet of claim 1 wherein the fuel pellet has a moisture content ofno more than about 3 wt.%.
 4. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1wherein the fuel pellet has a sulfur content of no more than about 0.5wt.%.
 5. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1 wherein the fuel pellethas a ash content of no more than about 8 wt.%.
 6. The densified fuelpellet of claim 1 wherein the fuel pellet has a pellet durability indexof at least about
 80. 7. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1 whereinthe fuel pellet has a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 1.2 g/cm³.
 8. Thedensified fuel pellet of claim 1 wherein a batch of the fuel pellet hasa bulk density of about 20 to 45 lb/ft³.
 9. The densified fuel pellet ofclaim 1 wherein the fuel pellet has a specific gravity which is at leastabout 150% of the mixture's specific gravity.
 10. The densified fuelpellet of claim 1 wherein the fuel pellet has a heat value of 9,500 to12,000 Btu/lb (as is basis).
 11. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1wherein the cellulosic material is in particulate form having a maximumdimension of no more than about 20 mm.
 12. The densified fuel pellet ofclaim 1 wherein the cellulosic material in the mixture has an initialmoisture content of no more than about 15 wt.%.
 13. The densified fuelpellet of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material comprisespolyethylene, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof
 14. The densified fuelpellet of claim 1 wherein compacting the mixture comprises extruding thefeed mixture.
 15. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1 wherein thethermoplastic polymeric material comprises a mixture of high densitypolyethylene and low density polyethylene.
 16. The densified fuel pelletof claim 1 wherein the fuel pellet has a cylindrical shape with adiameter of at least about 1.5 cm; and the fuel pellet has a pelletdurability index of at least about
 95. 17. The densified fuel pellet ofclaim 1 wherein a batch of the fuel pellet has a bulk density of about20 to 45 lb/ft³ ; and the fuel pellet has a heat value of 9,500 to12,000 Btu/lb (as is basis).
 18. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1wherein the fuel pellet has a density a heat value of 9,500 to 12,000Btu/lb (as is basis); specific gravity of about 1 to 1.2 g/cm³; amoisture content of no more than about 3 wt.%; a sulfur content of nomore than about 0.5 wt.%; and an ash content of no more than about 5wt.%.
 19. The densified fuel pellet of claim 18 wherein the moltenthermoplastic polymeric material comprises high density polyethylene,low density polyethylene or a mixture thereof.
 20. The densified fuelpellet of claim 1 densified fuel pellet comprising: a) about 5 to 10wt.% of the molten thermoplastic polymeric material; which compriseshigh density polyethylene, low density polyethylene or a mixturethereof; b) at least about 85 wt.% of the cellulosic material; whereinthe fuel pellet has a pellet durability index of at least about 95; aspecific gravity of about 1 to 1.2 g/cm³; a moisture content of no morethan about 3 wt.%; a sulfur content of no more than about 0.3 wt.%; andan ash content of no more than about 2 wt.%.
 21. The densified fuelpellet of claim 1 wherein the molten cellulosic material includes cerealstraw, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, switchgrass, sawdust, pulp millrejects or a mixture thereof.
 22. The densified fuel pellet of claim 1wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material comprises high densitypolyethylene, low density polyethylene or a mixture thereof; and thefuel pellet has a heat value of about 9,500 to 12,000 Btu/lb (as isbasis) and a PDI of at least about
 90. 23. The densified fuel pellet ofclaim 22 wherein comprising: a) about 5 to 10 wt.% of the moltenthermoplastic polymeric material; and b) at least about 85 wt.% of thecellulosic material.